<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Some theory to begin with

The topic "Calculating and computers" is best explained by means of a brief review. It was precisely through the field of "computing" that computer technology originally found its way into homes and offices. The first tentative advance was made by pocket calculators. They are definitely a great help, but their disadvantages are a good indicator of the usefulness of a spreadsheet:

If, for example, you're planning on buying a computer, you'll need to compare various systems based on their hardware components, as you'll need a PC, a monitor and a printer. One vendor may offer a competitively priced computer, another vendor might offer an inexpensive monitor, etc. Which is the best option?

To determine this fact, you have to add up the various prices. To do so, you pull out your pocket calculator, add number by number, write down the result – and become frustrated: With every new offer, the game starts all over again with new values, even though the method of calculation never changes.

Such calculations can be performed more conveniently by means of a spreadsheet.

The first technique you will encounter when working with PlanMaker is the use of "variables". Variables help you to generate abstract formulas without the use of actual number (or dollar) values. For example:

Computer + monitor + printer = total price

Thus, your formula would look as follows:

a + b + c = d

Such a formula is only of practical use in calculating without a spreadsheet if, for example, you have a programmable calculator – you can enter the formula in it once, and then execute it many times. The calculator asks for the values one by one, and then automatically calculates the total value. However, this is not much of an improvement over repeated individual calculations...